Every year, I write a post to mark the turning of a new year and to embrace the turning of a year. Technically my birthday is on Saturday, but I don’t like posting on the weekends, so I wanted to share this post today. In the past, some years of aging have been a welcomed moment and other years have been rather scary. So, how do I feel about leaving 27 behind and opening the first page of 28’s chapter? I feel a excited and scared in this moment. 28 is one year closer to 30, which always sounded so serious and distant from youthful adventure, but I have watched Mike this year in his own 28th year become stronger, more of an adult, embrace life and responsibility as an opportunity, not a burden. My old man husband has shown me that growing closer to 30 is only the beginning of youthful adventure not the end of it.
I my goals for 2015 match my personal goals for my 28th year of life. However, when I think about turning 1 year older I am always thinking about the years previous and how I have transitioned into a more awareness of who I really am every year. Last year I really wanted to be grounded and more present at home. I think that is a continual goal I will still strive for in this year, but as I approach my third decade in life some of the more lasting questions of life become more central. I don’t have all those answers in this moment. I know that I want to love those around me as much as I can, as I I think letting someone know how much they mean to you is the greatest gift we can offer ourselves and those around us. That is something I learned in some very real ways this year and I plan to make myself better at this in my 28th year.
My one other goal to achieve in this year is to somehow find a balance of valuing my time working as much as my time not working. When I am not working I find myself anxious and unsettled. It has always been a struggle of mine. Maybe I am just too connected online, but either way I want to teach myself that my time reading is as important as it is sitting here writing. Together Mike and I are working on challenging ourselves to find a way to achieve a 4 day work week. We believe it’s possible and could even make the work we do better than ever without overworking ourselves. My hope is that when we one day are ready to start a family this type of mentality will allow us the healthy balance we want in our life during the stage in life. I think finding rest and clarity in the importance of structure and rhythm can lead to a life that is more creative and life-giving than if we ignore those desires. At least that is what I find myself. I have been really moved by the intentionality of Mona Kowalska and her desire to keep her studio small, and her wellness at a premium. Thank you Culture Keeper for sending this along to me.
So this year, all I want for my birthday, is a day with my best friend discovering new things and remembering what really matters in life. In order to find the beauty in life we must celebrate the smallest things such as lazy mornings in bed and the feeling under the sheets on a sunny day with a cool breeze, the smell of a spring rain, the silence at night when the snow falls, the moment you grab hands with someone you love, how it feels to really hug someone especially when they need it and so do you, the moment you see your family for the first time in months, the laughter during a great meal, and those moments when for just a second life feels absolutely complete. Those are the moments I treasure and look back on each year when I end a year, but I also look forward to the opportunity to experience those things in new ways.
I feel so thankful for 27 and all it held in terms of success, lessons, triumphs, failures, joy, and even in sadness. It has been a good year that feels a little sad to say goodbye to, but 28 feels like one that is going to be really great as scary as it is to inch one year closer to beginning my 30’s.
This weekend I will celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying some downtime after our first full week back to work. Already, you all have made this year special. Thank you! I hope you each have a wonderful and relaxing weekend.
